What is the primary purpose of patent claims?

The primary purpose of patent claims is to define the scope of the patent's protection. By articulating what the inventor claims as their invention, the patent claims serve to legally exclude others from manufacturing, using, selling, or distributing the claimed invention without the inventor's permission. This exclusivity is a fundamental aspect of patent law, as it incentivizes innovation by granting inventors a temporary monopoly on their inventions, thus allowing them to potentially recoup their investment in research and development.

While providing a summary of the invention, describing the inventor's background, or submitting evidence of prior art may be relevant to the patent application process, they do not encapsulate the main function of patent claims. The claims serve a distinct role in establishing legal boundaries that protect the invention from infringement, which is critical for the patent to fulfill its purpose in promoting technological advancement.